Tuesday, May 5, 2009

SAMI HYYPIA: WHY I'M LEAVING LIVERPOOL

Paul Eaton 05 May 2009

Sami Hyypia today spoke exclusively to Liverpoolfc.tv about the reasons behind his decision to bring a glittering ten-year Anfield career to an end.

sami hyypia


First of all Sami, there are many fans all over the world saddened at the news that you're leaving Liverpool. Why have you decided to move to Bayer Leverkusen?

The main reason is I still think I'm young enough to play football and I know chances to play here would be limited. I spoke to the manager and I didn't want him to make promises about how many games I would play, but this season has been mentally very difficult. I haven't played a lot and playing is what I enjoy most.

I understand it isn't possible to play enough games here for me to be happy, so I had to look elsewhere. I got the option to go abroad to Bayer Leverkusen. The whole package was good, they have big plans for me and hopefully I can go there and help them to be successful.

Even taking into account your reasons for leaving, was it still a difficult decision to make?

It was very difficult because from day one I have felt at home here. I have had good relationships with the club, with the staff and all the players who have been here over the last ten years. It's difficult to leave but my reasons are all professional. I still want to play football.

Ten years is a long time to spend at one club. My family are settled here and I know it will be stressful moving with them into a new house in a new country. But the professional side drove this decision. It's a new challenge and I will give it everything to be successful in Germany.

What did the manager say in your discussions with him?

He wished me good luck. We had a number of discussions and the possibility of a coaching role was mentioned, but I don't feel ready for that yet. I feel I still have a few more years in my legs to play football.

You've been here for a decade and so will leave with a lot of great memories from your time at the club...

Yes, we have had a lot of ups and downs during my time here but I have so many great memories and Liverpool will be my English club for ever.

What has been the highlight from your time at the club?

Obviously the Champions League victory was amazing. To be 3-0 down and still go on and win is something we'll never forget. On a more personal level my first game at Sheffield Wednesday, my first match at Anfield and my first goal for Liverpool are moments I will never forget.

How much will you miss the Liverpool fans, with whom you've had a great relationship over the years?

Obviously I'll miss them a lot and I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you to them all. They still sing my name when I'm warming up or playing and that's always good to hear. It's sad to be leaving, but I'll be back one day to watch some games and maybe see them all again.

How much are you hoping for a chance to say goodbye to them on the last day of the season against Tottenham?

That's a decision for the manager to make. Even if I'm not involved in the game I will find a way to get onto the pitch at the end. If the Stadium Manager tries to stop me I'll run past him [laughs]. I am sure I will have an opportunity to say goodbye.

You mentioned you don't yet feel ready to be a coach - but is that a dream for the future and could we see you back at Liverpool in that capacity one day?

Yes, hopefully. Coaching is something which has always been in my mind, but I have to take my badges first. At the end of my playing career I will look to take the badges and then see. I would like to come back here one day as a coach.

This club will always be in your heart, won't it?

Yes, always.

DALLA VALLE SALUTES HYYPIA INFLUENCE

Paul Hassall 05 May 2009

As we continue to reflect on Sami Hyypia's Liverpool career, we spoke to a young Finn with high hopes of a red future about what it would mean to follow in the footsteps of one of his country's sporting greats.

Hyypia


As a Finnish player looking to make the grade at Anfield, what kind of achievement is it for Sami Hyypia to bring his Reds career to a close after 10 years at the top?

It's a massive achievement for Sami to have been at Anfield for a decade. Not many players can say that they have played at such a high level for such a big club over so many years. He deserves all the credit he gets.

Is he someone you have looked up to as a role model?

Yes. He is obviously a role model for me. His attitude is excellent and I think he is very professional. There aren't many Finnish players that have played for a top club like Liverpool.

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Was the fact he was at Liverpool one of the reasons behind you joining the club?

Well one of the main reasons I chose to come here was because of the training facilities. They are very impressive. All the people were very friendly too, but it would be fair to say it helped my decision that Sami was here. I spoke with him and he only had good things to say about the club.

So you actually spoke to Sami before you signed? Has he been a friend for a while then?

Yes. He is a good friend. We go out sometimes and keep in touch on the phone. The best piece of advice he has given me is to keep my feet on the ground and work hard.

The Academy occasionally play practice matches with the first-team at Melwood. Did you ever go head-to-head with Sami?

(Laughs). No not really. We usually go up there during the international break and he was always away with Finland. I have had the chance to play against Jamie (Carragher) though, and it's great to test yourself against such fantastic players.

lauri dalla valle under 18s under-18s reserves youth cup academy


From a striker's point-of-view, what do you think made Sami such a great defender over the years?

He is very confident. He is a great tackler and can pass the ball both short and long without a problem. His main strength is probably that he wins almost everything in the air and he also has great positional sense.

What do you regard as Hyypia's best moment at Liverpool?

That's easy... Istanbul. For a Finnish player to win club football's biggest prize, in such a way, is amazing.

istanbul


What did Sami's presence at Anfield do for the popularity of Liverpool FC in Finland?

It has done a lot. There aren't many Finnish players who are playing for such a big club, so when you mention Sami's name they always think of Liverpool next. It was the same with Jari Litmanen too. He was a top player.

Finally, what would it mean to you, to follow in his footsteps and be the next Finn to make it big at Anfield?

That would be amazing for me. It would be like a dream come true.

GERRARD SCOOPS PFA AWARD

James Carroll 05 May 2009

Steven Gerrard has been named as the PFA Fans' Player of the Year for the 2008-09 season.

The Liverpool captain, who has struck 21 goals so far this campaign, was recently pipped to the PFA Players' Player of the Year award by Manchester United's Ryan Giggs.

However, following a vote conducted by the PFA, Gerrard has scooped the fans' gong after another exceptional season.

PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor said: "Steven has always been a particular favourite of mine and I was delighted when he was nominated by his fellow pros for our Players’ Player of the Year award.

"Obviously, that particular award went to Ryan Giggs, and rightly so, and I am equally thrilled that football fans up and down the country have acknowledged Steven in this way.

"Like his many supporters and suitors, I have the utmost respect and admiration for the way he continues to go about his business. He is a top pro and a worthy winner."

Gerrard was the inaugural winner of the honour in 2001.

RUSH DELIGHTED WITH AGGER DEAL

James Carroll 05 May 2009

Kop legend Ian Rush has revealed his delight at the news Daniel Agger has agreed a four-year extension to his Liverpool contract.

The centre-back joined teammates Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt in committing his long-term future to the Reds on Saturday and Rush believes the 24-year-old will play a key role in the future of the club.

"Agger is a young player with a lot of potential and I think he could become a very important part of Liverpool’s future," said Rush.

"It’s obvious to say that the most important part of being a defender is being able to defend and Agger can certainly do that.

"He reads the game well, gets into good positions to make tackles and is decent in the air.

"But he also brings something different in that he is so comfortable on the ball that he can easily add to Liverpool’s midfield numbers on days when teams come to Anfield and don’t go beyond the halfway line.

The Dane has forged a reputation as a goal threat, having scored some spectacular strikes during his Anfield career - most recently in the 4-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers last month - and Rush admits he can see similarities between his old teammate Alan Hansen and Agger.

"If you have a player like Agger who can bring the ball out of defence it can make a massive difference, as I know from my own experience at Liverpool," added Rush.

"We were really fortunate to have a player like Alan Hansen who would break out of central defence and link up with play higher up the pitch.

"This was a really effective tactic for us, particularly when our opponents would try to play for a draw.

"The fact that we had a centre back who could start attacks meant that it was more difficult for us to be stopped and I think that Agger can do a similar job for the current team.

"I wouldn't like to compare him with Hansen, although there are obvious similarities, and Agger has the potential to score a lot more goals than Alan ever did!

"We have already seen the power of his shooting on several occasions and I think there are quite a few more goals to come from him because his technique is excellent.

"He is still learning but hopefully he is over his injures, because if Agger's progress continues he can become a very important player for Liverpool."

RAFA: WE WANTED SAMI TO STAY

James Carroll 05 May 2009

Rafa Benitez today hailed Sami Hyypia as the "perfect professional" and revealed he was keen to retain the services of the defender in a coaching capacity.

The Finn will bring his 10-year association with the Reds to an end in the summer after it was announced on Monday he has agreed to join German club Bayer Leverkusen on a two-year deal when his contract expires.

Benitez has confirmed he offered Hyypia the opportunity to stay on at Anfield for a further season as well as the chance to take up a role with the coaching staff in the future.

"We are disappointed because we will miss Sami," said the Reds boss.

"He is so important that we talked about him becoming a member of the coaching staff in the future, but he thinks he can play more and wants to be involved in the first team.

"The fact that we were talking to him about becoming a coach shows how much we think of him – he is a perfect professional.

"We were talking to him about an extension to his contract and the guarantee of becoming a member of the coaching staff. That shows we were really pleased with him and how good he is as a professional."

Although disappointed to see the legendary centre-back leave, Benitez has wished him all the best for the future and confirmed the door will always be open for Hyypia to make a return to Liverpool.

"In every single training session and in every single game he gives 100 per cent for the team and he has been a fantastic servant to this club," added Benitez.

"He is always keen to help the youngsters and he sets them a really good example but he has also been very supportive of me and my staff since I first came to Liverpool.

"From my point of view, I have been really pleased to work with him and now I must wish him luck for the future.

"All the fans and all the staff at the club are sad. We were trying to keep him.

"With three other centre backs at Liverpool it was going to be difficult for Sami to play as often as he would like so he has decided to go to Leverkusen and, like I said, we are happy for him.

"We are really happy for him because he can play two more years to his maximum with a good team in a good league. So we must be pleased for him.

"It is sad, but it is his decision and we will support him."

CARRA SEEKING CITY FAVOUR

Paul Hassall 05 May 2009

Jamie Carragher is hoping Manchester City can do Liverpool a huge favour when they face United in their local derby at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Reds are currently three points behind Alex Ferguson's men having played a game more, and Carragher admits Liverpool will be keeping their fingers crossed that Mark Hughes and co can pull off a shock win against their rivals.

"We can only look after ourselves and we've been saying that for a while now," said the centre-back.

"We're in great form and have to keep that going until the end of the season and see what happens.

"It's in United's hands, it's up to them to throw away. But Man City or Arsenal could do us a favour.

"Manchester City are in great form at the moment and Arsenal might have something to prove if they are knocked out of the Champions League, so they can definitely get something against United."

Skipper Steven Gerrard, who returned against Newcastle after missing the previous four games with an adductor injury, added: "We'll keep fighting all the way to the end.

"Manchester United have a big Champions League game in midweek and hopefully Man City can do us a favour next week. But being realistic, we know they are still favourites."

SAMI AGREES BAYER LEVERKUSEN MOVE

Paul Eaton 04 May 2009

Sami Hyypia's decade of service at Liverpool Football Club will end this summer when he joins Bayer Leverkusen on a two-year deal.

Hyypia underwent a medical with the German outfit this morning and will link up with his new teammates in the summer for the start of pre-season training.

The Finnish international has earned legendary status at Anfield for the part he has played in the club's many successes over the past decade - and he will leave Merseyside with the best wishes of every Liverpool supporter.

It's hard to believe he cost the Reds just £2.5million from Dutch outfit Willem II back in May 1999.

After making his Reds debut against Sheffield Wednesday on August 7, 1999, Hyypia quickly formed a watertight partnership with Stephane Henchoz, providing the foundation for a historic treble in 2000-01.

The centre-half wore the captain's armband through much of this momentous campaign in the absence of the injured Jamie Redknapp. He jointly lifted both the UEFA and FA Cups.

Following the departure of Redknapp in April 2002, Gerard Houllier handed his trusty defender the captaincy on a permanent basis, though he'd be replaced by the emerging Steven Gerrard in October 2003.

samileverkusenWith the arrival of new boss Rafa Benitez in 2004 came numerous personnel changes, though it was clear Hyypia was going nowhere.

However, he did have a new central-defensive partner in Jamie Carragher, who was at last given a regular slot in his preferred position. Within 12 months they were regarded as one of the most formidable pairings on the continent following Liverpool's Champions League triumph in the Ataturk.

Hyypia scored one of the most memorable goals en route to Istanbul, an unstoppable volley to open the scoring against Juve in the quarter-finals.

Incredibly, he played every minute of 57 consecutive European games for the Reds from November 2001 to February 2006.

The arrival of young centre-halves Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel provided competition for places as Hyypia entered his twilight but, despite sometimes missing out, he continued to climb the club's all-time appearance table. In December 2008 he overtook Ron Yeats to enter the top 20.

History will undoubtedly judge the big Finn to be one of the club's shrewdest pieces of business - and possibly the best pound for pound signing ever to arrive at Anfield.

SAMI: 10 YEARS IN 10 GREAT PICS

Paul Hassall 04 May 2009

As Sami Hyypia prepares to bring his glorious Liverpool career to an end we've raided the archives to pick out some of the Finn's finest moments in a red shirt.

Liverpool today confirmed Hyypia will be joining Bayer Leverkusen on a two-year deal in the summer, but his contribution to the Reds' success over the last ten years will ensure he forever holds a special place in the heart of every Kopite.

Good luck Sami. A true Anfield legend.

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The new boy looks decent...


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A toast to the first of many trophies!


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The Owen Cup final - 'my' finest display


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Treble glory


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Last-gasp glory v Wolves - a Sami favourite


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It's just a friendly against Man United isn't it?


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A perfect start against Juventus


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Sami dares to dream...


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The dream becomes reality


sami hyypia bolton 021207


Sami Hyypia - Kop legend

AURELIO: TITLE CAN STILL GO TO THE WIRE

Paul Hassall 04 May 2009

Fabio Aurelio is convinced Liverpool can take the title race to the wire after the Reds closed the gap at the top with an emphatic 3-0 rout of Newcastle United on Sunday.

Goals from Yossi Benayoun, Dirk Kuyt and substitute Lucas Leiva moved Rafael Benitez's side to within three points of Manchester United and the Brazilian is hopeful the Reds can now finish the season with a flourish and pile more pressure on the leaders.

"We know that Manchester United still have a game in hand, so our ambition is to finish well in our last three games and after that we will see where we end up," he told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"The next game at West Ham is really important. If we win we can go top again, so we need to keep the pressure on ahead of their match with Man City.

"They still have a couple of difficult games left so let's see what happens and try and take it to the final game of the season."

The Reds went into the clash with Alan Shearer's men knowing anything less than victory would all-but end their title hopes following Man United's 2-0 win at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

However, once Benayoun opened the scoring on 22 minutes, the result was never in doubt and Aurelio admits the hosts should have gone on to score more goals in what proved to be a one-sided encounter.

"It was a very important game for us," he said. "We know that Newcastle are in a very difficult position and we knew they would come here and fight right until the end.

"But I think we controlled the game and once we scored we began to dominate more and more.

"In the end we could have scored more goals. We hit the crossbar three times and created a lot of chances.

"We know that if Manchester United do make a mistake, goal difference could be important. At the start of the match our priority was to win the game, but we also knew that if we could score more goals it would be even better.

"Maybe we should be a bit disappointed because we should have scored more than three goals after creating so many chances, but the main thing is that we are three points closer and can now build on a good performance and an important result."